Effects of HSYA on serum and brain cholesterol levels in AD rats based on quantitative proteomics

Abstract

Backgroud: Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) has a certain improvement effect on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rats, but its specific mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to observe the regulatory effect of HSYA on learning and memory ability of AD rats induced by Aβ_1-42.

Materials and methods: Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the effect of HSYA on the learning and memory ability of AD model rats. To explore the effective targets and potential molecular mechanisms of HSYA in AD treatment based on quantitative proteomics.

Results: Through the Morris water maze experiment, we found that after HSYA treatment, the learning ability of rats in the model group has been significantly improved. Quantitative proteomics results showed that among the 11 common differential proteins between the “model/sham operation” comparison group and the “HSYA treatment/model” comparison group, the cholesterol synthesis rate-limiting enzyme mevalonate decarboxylase (Mvd) Western Blot results are consistent with the results of quantitative proteomics analysis. We found that HSYA can inhibit the expression of BACE protein in hippocampus of AD rats and decrease the level of Aβ_1-42. Besides, HSYA could also reduce cholesterol levels in serum and hippocampus.

Conclusion: In summary, HSYA can effectively improve learning and memory disorders in AD rats, and exert neuroprotective effects by effectively controlling serum and brain cholesterol to down-regulate the expression of BACE and thus reduce the content of Aβ_1-42.

Keywords:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• TMT
• Hydroxysafflor yellow A
• cholesterol
• Aβ

Authors’ contribution

Chunhui Wang and Yanli Hu conceived and designed research. Chunhui Wang and Jiawei Hou conducted experiments. Mengyu Zhang, Yanjie Zheng, Hongxia Ye, Yanqiang Qi and Jiawei Hou analyzed data. Chunhui Wang wrote the manuscript; Yanli Hu and Li Guo revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript for publication.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval

All applicable international and national guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 81960665].